Original Notice.

Exempt from preproposal statement of inquiry under RCW 34.05.310(4).

Title of Rule: Chapter 388-450 WAC, Washington state WorkFirst program. Amended section on educational benefits, WAC 388-450-0035.

Purpose: Amends section to describe the eligibility rules for the new WorkFirst work study program.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.050.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.050.

Summary: Amends section to describe how to budget TANF work study earnings for the purposes of the food assistance programs.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Sandy Jsames, WorkFirst Division, P.O. Box 45480, Olympia, WA 98504-5480, (360) 413-3239, e-mail JSAMESSM@DSHS.WA.GOV, fax (360) 413-3482.

Name of Proponent: Department of Social and Health Services, governmental.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: Clarifies how to budget WorkFirst work study income when determining eligibility for cash, medical and food assistance.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: Counts WorkFirst work study educational assistance as earned income for food assistance and disregards it for cash and medical assistance.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Changes do not affect small businesses.

RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. This rule does not meet the definition of a significant legislative rule.

Hearing Location: Lacey Government Center (behind Tokyo Bento Restaurant), 1009 College Street S.E., Room 104-B, Lacey, WA 98503, on June 6, 2000, at 10:00 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Fred Swenson by May 26, 2000, phone (360) 664-6097, TTY (360) 664-6178, e-mail swensfh@dshs.wa.gov.

Submit Written Comments to: Identify WAC Numbers, DSHS Rules Coordinator, Rules and Policies Assistance Unit, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504-5850, fax (360) 664-6185, by June 6, 2000.

Date of Intended Adoption: No sooner than June 7, 2000.

April 26, 2000

Marie Myerchin-Redifer, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

This section applies to TANF/SFA, RCA, GA, TANF/SFA-related medical and food assistance programs. Unless otherwise stated, exclusions and disregards of educational benefits apply to clients engaged in undergraduate studies only.

(1) We exclude the educational assistance in the form of grants, loans or work study, issued from Title IV of the Higher Education Amendments (Title IV - HEA) and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) education assistance programs. Examples of Title IV - HEA and BIA educational assistance include but are not limited to:

(a) College work study (federal and state);

(b) Pell grants; and

(c) BIA higher education grants.

(2) We do not count the following types of educational assistance, in the form of grants, loans, or work study when determining a student's need:

(a) Assistance under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act, P.L. 101-391 for attendance costs identified by the institution as specified in subsections (3) and (4) of this section; and

(b) Educational assistance made available under any program administered by the Department of Education (DOE) to an undergraduate student. Examples of programs administered by DOE include but are not limited to:

(i) Christa McAuliffe Fellowship Program;

(ii) Jacob K. Javits Fellowship Program; and

(iii) Library Career Training Program.

(3) Educational assistance under subsection (2)(a) of this section is disregarded when used for the following attendance costs when a student is attending school less than half-time:

(a) Tuition;

(b) Fees; and

(c) Costs for purchase or rental of equipment, materials, or supplies required of all students in the same course of study.

(4) Educational assistance under subsection (2)(a) of this section that is used for the following expenses is disregarded in addition to the costs specified in subsection (3) of this section when the student is attending school at least half-time:

(a) Books;

(b) Supplies;

(c) Transportation;

(d) Dependent care; and

(e) Miscellaneous personal expenses.

(5) For TANF/SFA, RCA, GA, and TANF/SFA-related medical assistance, the amount of a student's remaining educational assistance equal to the difference between the student's appropriate need standard and payment standard is excluded.

(6) Any remaining income is unearned income and budgeted using the appropriate budgeting method for the assistance unit.

(7) When a student participates in WorkFirst work study, educational assistance made available to the student is:

(a) Disregarded for cash and medical assistance;

(b) Counted as earned income for food assistance.

(8) When a student participates in a work study program that is not excluded by subsections (1) and (2) or (7)(a) of this section, the income received is treated as earned income:

(a) Applying the applicable earned income disregards;

(b) For TANF/SFA, RCA, GA, and TANF/SFA-related medical assistance, excluding the difference between the student's appropriate need standard and payment standard; and

(c) Budgeting remaining income using the appropriate budgeting method for the assistance unit.

(((8))) (9) When a student receives Veteran's Administration Educational Assistance:

(a) All applicable attendance costs are subtracted; and

(b) The remaining unearned income is budgeted using the appropriate budgeting method for the assistance unit.

(((9))) (10) When a student participates in graduate school studies, educational assistance made available to the student is counted as:

(a) Assistance from another agency for cash and medical assistance;

(b) Earned income for food assistance if there are work requirements; or

(c) Unearned income for food assistance if there are no work requirements.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.510.      99-16-024, § 388-450-0035, filed 7/26/99, effective 9/1/99.      Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090.      98-16-044, § 388-450-0035, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office